z6 -> RE: Guitar prices (Nov. 17 2012 18:17:34)
|
quote:
I did write that it was the society and not the persons that had nothing between their ears. But I get what you say and you´re right, it could sound like its the persons I´m after. Which its not. Its the whole movement of our society and the fact that most people dont care and just let things happen like... "life is like this and what can I do?" Most people don't care? Really? I'm amazed that you thought my post was low and insulting. And you quote me saying how hard it was to earn a living from one's hobby as evidence of my crime Is that a 'put-down' to you? If I had said 'Art' or 'passion' would that have similarly offended your sensibilities? I've spent a large part of my working life trying to earn a living from my hobbies. To say that I'm waiting for Spain to devalue so that I can get 30% off on all purchases is beyond silly. If you had worked on the trading floor of an investment bank some years ago you might have read some of the reports I wrote pointing out that the euro was an insanely badly-designed financial instrument and it would inevitably end very badly. The current situation was written into the design, the DNA, of the euro. 'Life is like this and what can I do'? You think 'others' think this and not you? Did you read the rest of my post? Did you read the part that talked about three luthiers in the classical world who not only changed the whole game, they have made it possible for others to pursue their ambitions without having to starve on the altar of their art (or hobby or passion). They did it in their own lifetimes. It can, apparently, be done. In Smallman's case; chase down a guitar legend and torture him into telling you WHAT HE WANTS in a guitar. In Damman/Wagner's case, take a brainfull of talent and experience, maybe get a little lucky, but when the magical moment happens, pounce on it and work like a dog to perfect the idea. I'll be frank, your comments sounded superior, as if you mattered more than all the poor souls who work 40 hours a day and then go build guitars or write books or watch telly, or whatever. And god help the rich ones... they're all idiots. (I guess it must be easy to get rich but I can never manage to do it, somehow.) You were whining that you don't make enough money, and giving the same old about how you might have to give up and get a normal job like all the other vanilla people who aren't artists. You might want to broaden your definition of what can constitute art. Keep building or don't man, stay here or don't. Get offended or don't. Have you forgotten about all the good things? The freedom? No boss? Tons of people telling you how talented you are? No, but you want more money for it. Well, go do that. Go get more money for your guitars. No need for a speech about how it's all the fault of the universe, and all the faceless boring ones who know not what tortures you set yourself for your art. I'm not attempting to insult or goad you. Really. But snap out of it for fcks sake. The world is as it always was. Sht is piling upon you in great effing skiploads. It does thus to us all, unfortunately. I was just trying to point out that there are always ways, angles, to get you where you'd rather be. A revolution has taken place in classical guitar design (while people argue about whether it's real or not or if the guitars sound strange). It's an avenue. One avenue. A strategy already applied and inroads already made. There are always ways but one must usually bend somewhat, compromise. If building guitars is not enough then get a gimmick. If the gimmick is terrific then everybody wins. It's not the whole world. Like one of those old zen guys once said 'when you feel pain, the whole world feels pain'. If you have a closer look at all the boring people who make up the world outside your bonce you might be surprised at how few are actually out to get you. You want people to pay 10,000 euro for your guitars but are they the same people that you can't stop yourself thinking are idiots because they pay so much for a guitar? A little less disdain for the customer is always a good first step on the road to learn about the business of selling your product. As to 'Western instruments from China'. It's not another planet. I read, a little while ago, a story about how all the high-end microphone manufacturers were all crying about cheap Chinese copies. A little money and creativity later and China was producing 'original' mics a kick-in-the-ass away from superior German models for a tenth of the price. (Assuming that 'the Chinese' can't do what you can do is arrogant and childish. Of course they can... if they want to, why would they not?) Indeed, I own one. I would never spend two thousand dollars on a mic, but 200, sure. Does that make me bad? Build guitars that make people salivate. How you get them to do that is the bridge between hobby and profession. And it has never been just about building better guitars... but it helps. (If any offense at the word 'hobby' is taken, please insert a word of your own choice.)
|
|
|
|